Check Out This Peace Zone

My daughter and I met up to nail down our supplies and food list for Payton's annual-birthday-celebratory fishing trip next week. Always his birthday request! Meeting at their courtyard was the perfect place. You can see by Emma’s peaceful demeanor, it is definitely a peace zone. That is – until another dog strolls by and, she thinks she’s a hundred-pound Doberman by the way she’s ready to take that dog out. It's hilarious because, at her ripe age, she has very few teeth left. It is definitely her bark – not her bite that guards their home!

But, this morning, Emma isn’t distracted by anything outside of her domain. She’s at peace. And with that, Staci and I strike up a conversation about less striving, less hustle, less hassle and more living in that place of peace that only comes from a deep, intimate relationship with the Prince of Peace. Emma must know Him intimately.

Don’t we desire that more than anything? That simply flowing, abiding and living in the peace that Jesus lived in when He walked this earth. I mentioned it before and I urge you again to watch “The Chosen” series. Throughout the series you see Jesus meandering along – intentional and purposeful – yet unhurried, not filled with anxiety or trepidatious about what is about to happen, but always on the look-out to strike up a conversation, to bring understanding and peace to matters of strife, to calm troubled waters – both naturally and in the people He encountered.

The scripture that comes to mind is from Luke 4, the passage where people became so angry at Jesus, as He taught in their synagogue, that they tried to push Him off a cliff. But in verse 30, it says “He walked away”. I love that. He walked away from the chaos to get into His peace zone. I purpose to live in that peace zone too. When I choose that peace and something comes up that unsettles me, then I walk away too!

And, in the matters of life, as long as I fix my thoughts on my Prince of Peace, I'm stable and at peace. I know the world's peace depends on calm seas, favorable circumstances, getting our way, things going as expected, with very few challenges. That sounds comfy, but as soon as our "apple cart gets turned over", the peace of the world dissipates and we are left with anxiety and concern. The peace I know well is the peace Jesus gives. That peace helps me face circumstances with a quiet confidence that guides me -- not contingent on what's going on around me, but what's inside me -- better yet, WHO'S inside me. Jesus said, "Peace, I give you -- my peace I give you -- not as the world gives I you! Let not your heart be troubled." John 14:27

God Would Never Unfriend Us

Back in the day, when we unfriended someone, we walked away, erased their name off our notebook or wrote a “Dear John” letter. Here we are – decades later and we can unfriend someone with the tap of a button. I don’t “unfriend” but rather “unfollow”, usually because of their language, their rants, their lack of self-control. I still want them to follow me – hopefully, so they’ll catch some Llight if they pass by my blog.

Our lives are about relationships -- with Jesus and with people He’s created. Period. What concerns me most, is that people fail, disappoint, act up and act out, they let it rip – their language, I mean, without a thought or concern. I really do want to unfriend them because my little Pollyanna world needs to stay all peaches and cream. Right?

Good thing I’m not a god who carries a big stick. I’d be whack-a-moleying those ornery folks all over the place. I’m done with their lack of love, lack of decorum and lack of common sense. If some of them were my friends, I would unfriend them without a second thought. Go ahead, God! Let ‘em have it!

Then comes along the full-volume, yet gentle voice of God, with His personal guarantee, "I will NEVER unfriend them." Argh! But, please, God! Then God’s gentle tap on my shoulder reels me back into what His grace is all about. Our God would die before He would unfriend anyone. Fact is: our God did die rather than unfriend us. “Greater love has no one than this: than to lay down one’s life for His friends." (John 15:13)

Jesus didn’t leave, unlike, or unfriend a single one of his twelve closest friends. Not even when they deserved it. He’s not about to start with you and me. Instead, He kept on keeping the promise He first made that He would never leave or forsake His people. This is the God who moved into our neighborhood to be our friend. To know all about us and still love us. This is the God who has pursued you and me since before time and who never ever considers us a waste of time. This is a God who died on a cross to reach our hearts and souls to rescue us. We are loved – in spite of, because of, and instead of, but – do we believe it? Do we believe ours is His Love Story and in His Love Story – the Lover never leaves us.

My precious and beloved friends – let Him love you and wrap you in His grace and mercy. Just say “yes” – ACCEPT His “friend” request. He will take away all your sin, failings, fear and give you His own life – life to the full. "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10) You are loved!